Supporting means for outlet boxes



Filed July 14, v1955 lltllllllrvl INVENToR. LEMUEL H fl/EEETT 4free/raysUnited States Patent O SUPPORTING MEANS FOR OUTLET BOXES Lemuel H.Everett, Edmonds, Wash.

Application July 14, 1955, Serial No. 522,093

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-300) This invention relates to supporting and securingmeans for outlet boxes as used for the usual electric wiring ofresidences, shops, stores and the like. More particularly, it hasreference to a simple form of clamp adapted to be easily applied to theoutlet box and then nailed to a supporting stud or joist for thefunctional placement of the box. l

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a box securingclamp, made from a single strip or strap of sheet metal that can beeasily and readily applied to the box, and then nailed in place for thepermanent and rigid securement of the box to the supports.

It is also an object of the invention to so design the box securingclamp that, in the nailing operation, it is drawn tightly and securelyabout the box.

Further objects of the invention reside in the details of constructionof the clamp and its mode of application to and its combination with theoutlet box, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention,I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferredforms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the present supporting and securingclamp as applied to an outlet box preparatory to securement of the boxto a support.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp as prepared from a singlepiece of metal strapping ready for application to a box.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the clamp and a box, showing therelationship of parts before the securing nails have been fully driveninto the support.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view of the box and clamp showing theclamp drawn taut about the box by the securing nails.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present securing clamp is shown in its entirety in Fig. 2 and asformed ready for being applied to an outlet box. In Fig. l an outlet boxis designated in its entirety by reference numeral 11. The outlet box istypical of outlet boxes now in use and is formed of sheet metal and issubstantially of square formation. As seen best in Figs. 3 and 4, thebox has a flat top wall 12 and parallel opposite sidewalls 13-13, and itis open at the underside. Also, the box walls are provided with theusual knock outs 14 for leading wires into or from the box.

The clamp 11 is formed from a single and continuous strip or strap ofsheet metal. When shaped to form and ready for application to a box, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, it comprises a straight inside leg portion 15that terminates at its lower end in a short, inwardly and upwardlyturned hook 16. From the upper end of leg 15, the strap is turneddownwardly, and extends at a slight angle relative to leg 15 forming astraight leg portion 17, which is about onehalf the length of leg 15. Atthe lower end of the leg portion 17, the strap curves away from leg 15,as at 18, and continues as a substantially horizontal ice arm 19 havinga length substantially equal to the distance across the top of an outletbox. At the outer end of the arm 19 the strap is downwardly directed,providing a leg 20 having a length equal to the height of the side ofthe box, and terminating at its lower end in an inwardly and upwardlyturned hook 21.

It is to be noted, by reference more particularly to Fig. 3 that theupper end portion of leg 15 is formed with a plurality of holes 24 fornailing. The part 17 is likewise formed with holes 25 in registrationwith those in the leg for receiving nails 26 therethrough, as has beenshown in Fig. 3.

To use the present box securing clamp member 11, it is applied to thebox 10 by inserting the box, open side down, below the arm 19, andbetween the legs 15 and 20, and seating the lower edges of the oppositebox walls which engage these legs, in the upturned hooks 16 and 21. Theparts will then assume the relationship in which they are shown in Figs.1 and 2. It is to be observed in these views, that the arm 19 is spacedat its inner end above the top wall of the box, and the leg 17 inclinesaway from leg 15. For securement of the box to a support, such as ajoint or stud, as designated at 30 in Figs. 3 and 4, the clamp is placedwith its leg 15 flatly against a side of the stud. Then a nail 26 ispassed through registering holes in the leg 15 and part 17 close to thebend 18, and is driven into the stud. By this nailing, the part 17 ispulled back and atly against the leg 15 drawing the arm taut and downtightly against the top wall of the box. Thus the box wall edges areseated tightly in the hooks and the box and clamp rendered relativelyrigid. Other nails, as thought necessary, may then be driven through theparts 17 and 15, as in Fig. 4, to positively and rigidly secure theclamp to the joist.

Clamps of this kind are relatively simple, easy to apply to a box, andwhen properly applied and nailed to a support, will operate to hold thebox secure.

An advantage in use of such clamps resides in the fact that it isunnecessary to cut and iit headers between joists or studding for thenailing of the boxes thereto; time is saved, and expense avoided.Furthermore, boxes may be more easily located in position for use andsecured more accurately in position.

Such clamps may be made to fit boxes of the different standard sizes.

Having thus described `my invention, what I claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A securing clamp adapted for mounting outlet boxes 0r the likecomprising a metal strap that is bent, intermediate its ends, in amanner to provide an intermediate portion and two substantially parallelleg portions, spaced to receive an outlet box or the like between them,said leg portions terminating in inwardly and upwardly turned hooks attheir outer ends, one of said legs being of substantially greater lengththan the length of the other leg, the inner ends of said legs beingjoined by the intermediate portion of said strap, said intermediateportion comprising a rst part and a second part, said first part beingsubstantially at right angles to said legs when the clamp is secured inposition and said second part being substantially parallel to the longerleg, and said second part of the intermediate portion and the longer leghaving perforations therein to receive nails therethrough for thesecurement of the device to a support and the drawing of the clamptightly about an outlet box or the like.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,417,261 Morehouse Mar. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 601,442 France of 1926

